Securing system for integrally shaped bumper

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a front or rear bumper ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle, said bumper having a main part which is disposed transversely to the vehicle and side parts which extend approximately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the bumper ( 1 ) being secured at points on the vehicle. According to the invention, to prevent the side parts of the bumper ( 1 ) from permanently deforming the sheet metal bodywork or mudguard ( 5 ) in the event of an accident, the system for securing the side parts, in particular at their ends, is designed so as to be detachable.

[0001] The invention relates to a securing system for a shape-integrated bumper according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Relatively new bumpers comprise a main portion which is arranged transversely with respect to the motor vehicle and has side portions which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The bumper can be constructed in one piece or in several pieces and is secured at points on the vehicle. The main portion is connected to a support of the vehicle and the side portions are preferably connected to the mudguard.

[0003] Current bumper systems are more and more becoming part of the bodywork. However, they still have to fulfil the function of a bumper. The aim in this respect is that the bodywork should remain undamaged in the event of small crashes. The new bumper systems are integrated directly into the chassis, i.e. there is no longer a lateral projection in this respect. In the case of a fixed connection, this would mean that the sheet metal bodywork is permanently deformed. Consequently, considerable repair costs result.

[0004] The underlying object of the invention is to develop a front or rear bumper according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that in the event of an accident, the side portions of the bumper do not permanently deform the sheet metal bodywork or the mudguard.

[0005] This object is achieved in accordance with the invention as a result of the fact that the securing of the side portions, in particular at the ends thereof, is designed so as to be detachable.

[0006] When the side portions are screwed to the vehicle or mudguard, the screwed connection is advantageously arranged on an incline and under the action of a force can be displaced into the open position. By open position is meant the position in which the side portions are no longer integrated in the chassis but protrude outwards. As a result of this, they cannot deform the chassis in the event of an accident. In this connection, the incline specifies the direction of movement.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the securing screws with which the side portions are secured to the chassis or mudguard have arranged on their head a sliding plate, which can be displaced on the incline. In this connection, the sliding plate is guided on the incline in a type of groove.

[0008] Sensibly, the incline is arranged in the bumper. The screw with the sliding plate therefore penetrates the chassis or the mudguard and is secured with a nut.

[0009] Further features emerge from the figures, which are described in the following.

[0010]FIG. 1 shows in section the securing of a bumper to a mudguard in accordance with the invention; and

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a section according to line J-J of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 1 shows in section the securing in accordance with the invention of a bumper 1 to a mudguard 5. The bumper 1 comprises a main portion which is arranged transversely with respect to the vehicle and has side portions which extend to the left and to the right substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The end of a side portion, which is secured by way of a screwed connection to the mudguard 5, is shown. FIG. 2 shows a section according to the line J-J of FIG. 1.

[0013] The end of the side portions consists of a closing portion 6 and a cover 7. The cover 7 is the portion which is visible from the outside. Arranged in the closing portion 6 is an incline 2, on which the head of a securing screw 3 rests. The head is constructed as a sliding plate 4 and is guided on the incline 2 in a guide. The securing screw 3 penetrates the mudguard 5 and is fixed by way of a nut 8 and a spacer 9. In the closed position (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the sliding plate 4 is held on the incline 2 or in the associated guide by way of a clip 10. In the event of an accident, the closing portion 6 with the incline 2 slides over the sliding plate 4 into the open position. This direction of movement is indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrow A. The clip 10 is thereby pushed away or broken off. All portions of the bumper 1 consist of plastics. Only the securing screw 3 with the sliding plate 4 is made of metal.

[0014] After an accident, the bumper can be put back into its original position by slackening the securing. 

1. Front or rear bumper (1) of a motor vehicle having a main portion which is arranged transversely with respect to the vehicle and has side portions which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with the bumper (1) being secured at points on the vehicle, characterised in that the securing of the side portions, in particular at the ends thereof, is designed so as to be detachable.
 2. Bumper according to claim 1, with the side portions being screwed to the vehicle, characterised in that the screwed connection is arranged on an incline (2) and under the action of a force can be displaced into the open position.
 3. Bumper according to claim 2, characterised in that the securing screw (3) has arranged on its head a sliding plate (4), which is displaceably guided on the incline (2).
 4. Bumper according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the incline (2) is arranged in the bumper (1). 